I admit it: I’m cheap. And while I love technology, I don’t want to spend more money than I have to on it. When I decided I needed a Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad, I shopped around. The price range is huge. Naturally, I considered the Apple keyboard, but it’s expensive. Then I found the AmazonBasics Bluetooth keyboard. The reviews were good, and the price was right. (Note that Amazon’s supply is currently out of stock, but the price is $29.99. At the time of writing, 24 new and used keyboards were available from third-party sellers.)

Also notice that since I bought the keyboard, Amazon has added the mini travel stand to the package. I have the stand as well (though I bought it separately almost a year ago), and it’s nice. It’s small and goes everywhere. It’ll hold e-readers and tablets in both portrait and landscape; a very smart move to add it to the keyboard.

Anyway, back to the keyboard review. It’s a 3/4 size, so if you have large hands, you probably won’t like it. But if you have small to medium hands, it’s comfortable to type on. The keys are solid with good tactile feel when you press them. It doesn’t feel cheap at all.

The music control features work well and are highlighted in blue to make them easy to find.

My one complaint is that both the ‘backspace’ and ‘delete’ buttons work as backspace. Kind of a waste to have two keys doing exactly the same thing. It’s occasionally annoying, but I’m used to it now.

It has paired easily with every device I’ve used, except, oddly enough, my Nexus 7. I’ve been reading that there are Bluetooth issues with Android 4.2, and it looks like I have them. For now I’m assuming this is a problem with my Nexus 7, not the keyboard.

It’s small and light and fits in my messenger bag, in the same pocket as my iPad. I hardly notice the additional weight when it’s in there.

The keyboard is powered by two AAA batteries, and let me tell you, the battery life is fantastic. I purchased the keyboard in June, use it several times a week, and I’m still on the original batteries. I’ve even left the thing on overnight several times.

Like all AmazonBasics items, it comes in Amazon’s Frustration-Free packaging. That alone makes me look for an AmazonBasics option before I buy something new.